Escape rooms are not only available to visit, they can also be played at home. We provide you with an overview of the numerous possibilities for having fun with an escape room!
The basics: What is an escape room?
Ready to escape?
Before we can get started with the games, we should first define what an escape room actually is. Sounds dramatic? It can be! With lots of puzzles, speed, and creativity, this is a game with many facets.
Here you can find more information about the basics of escape rooms.
The game principle - What do you do in escape rooms?
The gameplay of escape rooms is always the same: you have to solve puzzles that gradually bring you closer to the goal of the game—to leave the room. To do this, you must
- Solve puzzles,
- Cracking codes,
- Decipher tips and do it all in no time.
It's a very exciting but also fun game that primarily requires one thing— teamwork!
Objectives of the game
The goal of this game is very simple: you have to try to leave the room . Often, the door is locked with a lock that requires either a key or a code.
Sometimes you also have to flip a switch (and find it first) to open the door. Since every escape room game is different, the paths to the goal are always different, which keeps the game exciting!
Expert tip: Once you have chosen an escape room and booked it, it is important to be on time. Each group has only a limited amount of time to solve the puzzle, so punctuality is important. Also, remember to wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move around easily. Chances are you will be searching even in the furthest corners of the room.
Who invented escape rooms?
The origin of the physical escape game is disputed, as two people claim to have come up with the idea:
- Takao Kato from Japan
- and Attila Gyurkovic from Budapest.
It is unlikely that we will ever know who first came up with the idea, but it may well be that both of them arrived at the idea independently of each other.
The idea had already existed for some time in virtual space as a computer game, so it seemed only natural to "invent" a physical escape room. The physical escape room is said to be based on the concept of the game "Crimson Room" by Japanese designer Toshimitsu Takagi from 2004.
Nowadays, there are so-called live escape rooms, where you are literally "held captive" in a room and have to solve puzzles within that room in order to escape.
The play only came to Germany in 2011, thanks to the artistic theater group Machina eX.
This was an artistic project that was presented at festivals. After two years, the first company recognized the potential success behind this game, so HintQuest developed the first live escape rooms in Germany.
Since 2017, there are now around 209 escape rooms throughout Germany, and the trend is growing! These games are now also available as PC and board games.
How are escape rooms structured?
Each game has a different theme. It could be based on prehistoric times, such as the age of the dinosaurs, or it could be set in a room in a spooky mansion filled with ghosts.
To learn more about the location and the story, there is an introduction that explains how you (and your fellow players) ended up in this room. Each room is also decorated to match the theme, so you will really feel like you have been catapulted into the story.
As a rule, an escape room game involves 2 to 6 players, but there are exceptions with larger groups. You should also expect to have limited time, often only an hour. Once the introduction is over, the puzzle-solving can begin. Find
- Codes,
- Notes,
- Tips and tricks!
What escape room variants/missions are available?
When it comes to escape rooms, you are truly spoiled for choice. Due to the large number of different rooms, the missions also vary. The classics include
- defusing bombs,
- solving a murder case
- and also a prison break.
However, there are also scary elements, such as ghosts, demons, and unexplained deaths.
Escape Room 1x1: Preparing for your first visit
Just three steps to your first escape room visit!
Step 1: Booking
Look online for escape rooms in your area and find friends and relatives who would like to join you.
Step 2: Preparation
Wear comfortable clothing and be sure to arrive on time!
Step 3: Enjoy the game
Have the game explained to you on site, bring plenty of energy, enthusiasm, and good spirits, and enjoy the game!
The most important questions and answers about your first visit to an escape room:
What to wear?
Loose and comfortable clothing. Tight jackets, miniskirts, and high heels have no place here.
How much do escape rooms cost?
Depending on the escape room and the size of your group, prices start at €15 per person.
Do you have to be physically fit?
You should be in good physical health, but you don't have to be able to run a marathon. After all, you'll only be staying in one room, but you should be able to move around well so you can search for clues.
At what age can escape rooms be used?
When it comes to minimum age, it always depends on the room. Some rooms are suitable for ages 10 and up, while others are only suitable for ages 16 or 18 and up.
If you plan to bring a child or teenager with you, check the Escape Room website before booking.
What if I can't solve the puzzle?
Not sure what to do next? No problem, one of our staff members will be happy to help you.
How long will it take?
Most escape rooms are limited to one hour, but there may be exceptions. We recommend checking the website of your chosen escape room for specific information.
Am I really locked in this room?
Yes and no! The door is locked, but the room is constantly monitored. If, for any reason, you want to leave the room before the puzzle has been solved, a member of staff will open the door for you.
How many players can play?
Usually, 2 to 6 players participate, but there are also some escape rooms for larger groups.
Can you play an escape room more than once?
Is it possible to relive an adventure that you really enjoyed? Theoretically, you could go on a treasure hunt a second time, but unfortunately that's usually boring because you already know the puzzles. Escape rooms are designed to be a one-time gaming experience. If you really enjoy playing escape rooms, you should set yourself a new challenge each time.
Where can I find escape rooms?
There are currently around 1,200 different games in Germany. Here is a small selection of the possible cities:
Aachen
Augsburg
Berlin
Bochum
Braunschweig
Dresden
Düsseldorf
Erlangen
Esslingen
Gelnhausen
Gelsenkirchen
Hagen
Hamburg
Hameln
Hanover
Heilbronn
Kaiserslautern
Cologne
Leipzig
Mönchengladbach
Munich
Neuwied
Nuremberg
Stuttgart
And many more
You can find a more detailed list onEscape Roomers.
Which escape room is the best?
According to reviews bylock.me, "Ghost Hunter Brandon Darkmoor" by THE ROOM Berlin is one of the best, if not THE best escape room in Germany. Three to five players can try their hand at this room and have a maximum of 75 minutes to do so. As the name suggests, it's a spooky experience, as you have to follow in the footsteps of a ghost hunter.
According to reviews, the decor and special effects are a real experience, but the puzzles are also challenging and fun. You can try your hand at this escape room for €90 per group.
Are there escape room games for home use?
Yes, there are alsoescape room games for at homein various levels of difficulty, but don't worry, you don't have to lock yourself in a room for these ;) Rather, they are fun Riddle Boxes board games for you, your friends, and relatives.
The Riddle Boxes are often referred to as escape room boxes. They all follow the same principle. You have to solve various puzzles one after the other to open the box and get to the contents. Some people Riddle Box use the Riddle Box to wrap a gift as a puzzle —a very fun thing to do :D
Board games are also great for a fun game night. Here are two fantastic games we recommend:Exit - The Game "The Abandoned Cabin"
Cosmo Verlag has already released a series of escape room board games called "Exit." The game "Die verlassene Hütte" (The Abandoned Cabin) is particularly enjoyable in this series.
- In the story, you and your fellow players find yourselves in an abandoned hut, but the door is locked.
- Now you have to figure out how to crack the combination lock by solving lots of fun puzzles.
- With a mysterious book, a turntable, and other tools, it's your job to solve this puzzle.
Space Cowboys: Unlock! - "Exotic Adventures"
A different kind of escape room? That's exactly what you can expect with the board game Unlock! "Exotic Adventures" from Space Cowboys. In this game, you can look forward to three different escape room games, including
- "The Night of Terror,"
- "Scheherazade's Last Story"
- and "Expedition Challenger."
In the latter, you travel back to the time of the dinosaurs!
Conclusion: Escape rooms are great fun—try it for yourself!
So, are you interested in trying out an escape room for yourself? Whether it's a live escape room or a game you can play at home?
If so, feel free to take another look at our tips and tricks for your first visit and book your first game with your family or friends. We hope you have lots of fun and enjoy solving the puzzles!
The most important questions and answers about escape rooms
Are escape rooms dangerous?
No, escape rooms are not dangerous. The room is monitored at all times, so you don't have to worry.
Are you being watched in the escape room?
Yes, you are actually being watched in an escape room. This is for the safety of the team, but also for the sake of the game. If the team gets stuck and can't progress or simply can't crack a numerical code, the game masters can intervene with a hint.
Will you be scared in the escape room?
As a rule, the answer is yes. Of course, adrenaline, time pressure, and the odd creepy-looking object may be part of it, but you'll only be scared in special horror escape rooms that are specifically designed to frighten and terrify participants.
Is an escape room scary?
That depends entirely on the mission of the escape room. There may certainly be games that include scary elements such as ghosts.
Which is better: Escape Room or Exit?
The exit game is a "subtype" of the escape game, so there is no general answer to this question. In an exit game, the puzzles are solved in a strictly linear fashion, i.e., one puzzle leads to the next. In an escape game, there is more freedom in this regard. Both have their appeal.
